Flow-actuated device



1,614,530 Jan. 18, H, LUNDQUIST FLOW ACTUATED DEVICE Filed Dec. 15. 1922 21 I Inf 7 .Zzzndg "1 W I Ami;

Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HANS LUNDQUISI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 UNITED STATES SPECIALTY CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

FLOW-ACTUATED DEVICE.

Application filed December 15, 1922. Serial No. 607,094.

This invention relates broadly to fluid pressure and flow actuated devices, and more particularly to an improved apparatus for indicating the rate of flow of fluid, so that the observer, at a glance, may be apprised accurately, at all times, of the exact amount of fluid passing a given point in a given time interval.

\Vhile this invention is primarily intended as an improvement in flow-registering gauges and is illustrated as such, and more specifically as applied to lubrication systen'is, it will be readily apparent that it has other equally useful purposes, and as a consequence finds a wide field of utility.

The principal objects and advantages which characterize this invention reside in the provision of an improved flow-indicator and indicating element; the provision of an improved construction of flow actuated element; and the provision of an apparatus of the character described wherein moving parts are reduced to a minimum; wherein packing gaskets and other joints are largely elin'iinated, in order to generally improve such devices by simplification, and to prevent leakage.

The nature of the device of this invention is such that it is accurately calibrated to measure rate of flow, and, while it is interposed in series with the, fluid conductor, acts in no way to impede materially the volume or rate of flow of fluid.

The foregoing and. such. other objects and advantages as may appear or be pointed out as this description yn'oceeds are attained in the structural embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the device of this invention;

Figure 2 is side elevational view;

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view on line 3-3 of Figure 2, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal section view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a modilied form of one of the parts of the device.

casing and is not mechanically connected to the indicating element, but by magnetism of one or the other causes the indicating element to move in unison with the vane in the casing.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, I provide a casing 5, which, for convenience in installing in the dashboard 6 of an automobile, it preferably circular, open at its front, and provided with a rear closing wall 7 The casing, being in the form of an integral casting, is provided with an outer chamber 8, and an inner chamber 9, the latter. having an inlet port 10, and an outlet port 11, the rear wall 7 having threaded nipples 12-12 for accommodating said ports.

From an inspection of Figure 3, it will be observed that the chamber 9 is cut in the casing to a shape defined by the radial walls 13 and 14, approyimately ninety degrees apart, and the arcuate wall 15. The wall 15 is described from a point eccentric to that at which the walls 13 and 14 meet, and the ports 10 and 11 enter the chamber 9 at the junctions of the walls 1f and 13, and 15 and 14, respectively. Thus the chamber 9 increases in area from the wall 13 to the wall 14.

The flow actuated vane preferably coinprises a segment 16, provided with a pintle 17, which enters into and is revoluliile in a bearing 18 and the wall 7, such hearing being located at the junction of the radial walls '13 and 14. The segment 16 is made of steel and is permanently magnetized, the segment being of such length that when in the lower position, (Figure 3) it extends to the wall 15 and closes the inlet.

Thechamber 9 is closed by a dial plate 19. which seats on a shoulder 20, said plate being secured fluid tight by the provision of a series of screws 21, and thus the plate isolates the conniartments 8 and 9. The plate is provided with a fixed pintle 22, which is in axial alinement with the pintle 17 on the segment 16. A needle carrying hub member 2a is provided having an outer conical portion ar seating in a bearing recess in the plate 25, and said hub also has a pintle 22 seated in and projecting from a suitable axial recess in the hub and into a conical recess in the member 19, the hub thus being rotatably suspended in the members 19 and 25. The outer end oi the hub 24 is tapered and may engage in a suitable recess in the glass cover plate 25, which latter seats on the externally threaded annular wall 26, which latter receives the cover retaining aunulus 27.

The dial plate 19 is provided with an arcuate calibrated scale 28 in full view of an observer, and the end of the needle 23 svveeps over said scale, in accordance with the displacement of the segment 16.

In Figure 5 a modified construction of the vane is shown wherein the vane coinpri a J-SllElPQCl portion 2.), which is magnetized, and a body 30, which maybe 01" non-magnetic metal. A pintle 31 is formed on the body 30, and a circular opening 32 is provided in alineinent with the axi: oi the pintle Ill.

The flow in'di atinp; device of this invention is secured to the dash (3 by the provision or a U-shaped bracket 33, vvl -ch embraces the casing said bracket having-r feet 34- for securement to the bael; of the dash. A threaded stud 35 is provided on the Wall 7 and said stud extends through the medial portion o1 the bracket. Lock-nuts secure the stud in the bracket, and as the annulus 2? abuts the margin of the opening in the dash, the device is fixedly held against displacement.

When installed, the lovver of the nipples 12 is connected to the oil or other fluid line from a pump, (not shown) and the upper nipple is connected to a continuation or"- said line to the engine or other point at vvhichthe tluid, it lubricant, is to be used. is the fluid flows from the inlet port 10, it strikes the adjacent portion of the vane 16 and deflects same upwardly. Upon the rate of flow depends the degree of deflection of the vane, the outer end thereof receding, in effect, from the Wall 15 as the velocity of the fluid increases, thus permitting the resultant increase in volume passing through the device. It will be seen that by virtue of this arrangement the flow is not interfered with or retarded to any ay 'n'eciabli-i extent. Due to the magnetic influence of the vane it? the needle is caused to register a conmlemental position thereto at all times, thereby indicating the rate of flow on the scale. Of course, it will be readily understood that the cas ing and associated inclosing parts 01" the device should be made tri lion-magnetic metal, such as brass or an alloy.

Equally important featuresot this invention in addition to those hereinbefore pointed out,-are: the manner of providing the chamspirit of least one element to cause leakage; this arrang-ement, in combination with the dial plate which serves to make a liquid tight closure; and the arrangement of the pivot for the vane 16 whereby canting or jamming of the prevented and the similar mounting of the needle tor a similar purpose.

lVhile a specific construction of this invention is described and shown, I reserve the privilege the invention and scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a flow meter, in combination, :1 casing having a chamber defined by a curved i' wall, and two radial Walls of unequal lengths, said radial vvalls having inlet and outlet ports adjacent the junctions of the radial walls and said curved Wall, and a magnetized vane pivoted at the junction of said radial vxalls for movementin said chamber in response to flow from said inlet to said outlet, and the free end of said magnetized vane receding from the curved Walls as such vane 'is displaced toward the outlet, a removable Wall closingsaid chamber and on which said vane is additionally pivoted, and an indicator pivoted on said closing wall and non-mechanically connected to but operable by magnetic influence said vane.

In a flovv meter, in combination, a cas ing' having a chamber defined by relatively inclined radial WZLllS of unequal lengths and a curved Wall joining said radial Walls, said radial vvalls having inl t and outlet ports .1

adjacent the unctions oi the radial and curved Walls, and a vane pivoted at the junction of the radial walls for movement in said chamber in response l {low from said inlet to said outlet port.

3. In a flow meter, in combination, a casinchaving achau'iber defined by a curved Wall, and tvro radial a ilarly related Walls of unequal lengths, .d radial Walls having inlet and outlet. pm" of radial Walls with sa d curved Wall, magnetized vane pivoted a said radial walls for ill her in response to How 11 outlet, and the free end from the curved wall as such vane is displaced toward the out et. a removab e Wall closing. l l

and a l: the junction of: icnt in said chainon said inlet to said .l vane receding attach my signaint, Chicago, Ilh- HANS LUI D QUIST.

vane in course or its movement, is

of modifying; same within the acent the junctions I. 

